Charles w



March 15, 1932. c, w. GREEN PRINTING MEGHANISM Filed Nv. 29, 1926 2 sheets-sheet 1 March 15, 1932. c. w. GREEN PRINTING MECHANISM Filed NOV. 29,'1926 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 gwen-lio@ @Izar/19146619615 Patented Ma; 1932 A i y f UNITED PATENT OFFICE CHARLES w. GREEN, or ILION, NEW YORK, AssIGNOR, BY MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, To THE holding devices, landhimprovements` in thev platen employedwhereby the construction of said printer'is rendered more simple and.

dered more simple and effectual.V

NATIONAL CASH `REGISTER COMPANY, o LAND This invention relates toprinting mechaA`r lnisms and the embodiment thereof selected for the purpose ofillustration isparticularly adaptedfor use: ina cashregister, although 1tis'susceptible of ready adaptation for use in other types ofgaccounting or printing machines and analogous devices. o f This application is a division of the application oi Charles Green, Ser. No. 13,470,

led March 6,1925, to which application reference may be hadfor a complete disclosure of the cash registering mechanismL and other devices not herein shown., A

The cash register shown and described in the parent application above identiiedicom- Y prises sets of keys representingnumbers, and Y registering and indicating devices under the `control of said keys. Aregistering device ortotalizer is provided for -accumulating" the total of'all the items entered injth'e machine and there `is `iiurthermore'provided a number of item counting or registering devices'which are'intended to afford complete-information regarding'theparticular use of the cash reg.- ister during an 'arbitrary period. v,

In cash registers of the 'generalv classshown and described in the parent application, the total of the sales registered and other information is usually obtained by reading the amounts standing upon the totali'zerelements andfotherregistering devices. It is prefera-V ble, however, to have ythis information printed upon a record bearing material as it then forms apermanentand unchangeable record which may be referred to at any time.

provide a printer of the class speciiied'having,`

improved inking' devices, improved record desirable and lessliableto get out of order and whereby'theoperation thereof is ren-V i Onecon-` struction by which the desired results are ob- Y and, furthermore, any

OF DAYTON, OHIO, A CoRroRATION or MARY- PRINTING-MECHANISM Original application led March 6, 1925,7Sera1 No'. 13,470. `21,)ivide6. andtliis application iiled November i 29,1926. Sera1 No.151,293. l

tained is illustrated' by the accompanying' drawings in which Fig. l is a fragmentary sectionalfview taken through the improved machine shown in the parent application showing particularly the totalizing or printing elements and their relation to the improvedprinting mechanism for eii'ectingl printing from the elements upon a assembly of the bon frame may be readily inserted.

- Fig. 6 is a plan viewoil the ribbon andfits associated supporting frame.

`Figx? isV an enlarged sectionalview taken through the ribbon supporting frame on line 7"-7 vof Fig. 6. Y

f Fig; 8 is an end view of the platen unit showing the rubber impressiony blocks and their relation to the plates for supporting the inking ribbon frames. s

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary transverse sectional view taken on line 9-9 of Fig. 1.

Referring torigs'. i and s a will `be noaa that lthe illustrativemachine is provided with two side frames 2O and 21 between which is journaled arockable frame 22 carrying a series of total printingelements 28. These elements as shown for the purpose of ,illustration :are in the form Vof wheelsand the .peripheries are provided with raised prints i ing characters.` Also journaled in the frames 20 and 21 by, means'of a ytransverse shaftl24 is a supplemental series ofprinting elements 25 which are similar inform tothe printing elements 23. The illustrative machine ispro- 'vided l with two lines of printing elements but this number is not essential andto practice'the present invention a single Vline of typeor more than two lines maybe utilized p other form of type printing elementsrnay be'employed so'that they may be adapted to print any desired data upon the record bearing material through the use of the improved printing mechanism to be hereinafter described. The interior mechanism is enclosed by a cabinet 26 which may be made of any desired material. The printing and other associated mechanisms are concealed by a cover 27 having side plates 28, the cover being rigidly attached to the cabinet 26 but being apertured so as to permit access to some of the parts.

In general the printing mechanism comprises a printing frame which is pivotally mounted and adapted to be manually swung about its pivot by the use of a knob or key to carry a pair of impression el-ements against the two lines of printing` type already described. This frame is normally spring-held in its outward position and is provided with suitable inking devices and means for carrying and guiding the record strip. The details of construction of the various elements of the printer will now be described.

Referring to Fig. 4 it will be note-d that the printing frame comprises a plate 29 integral with which are two side -plates 30 and 31 the lower ends Aof which are apertured to receiv-e a shaft 32 carried by ears 33 integral with a cross bar or frame piece 34 (Fig. 1). All of the associated printing members are carried by the frame just referred to and in order .to prevent lateral movement of the printing mechanismthe cross bar 34 is proy vided with rearwardly extending projecttions 35 (Figs. 1 and 4) between which the lower end of the printer is positioned. Journaled in the side plates 30 and 31 at their upper portions is a shaft 36 (Figs. 1 and 4) forming the pivotal point of a platen 37 (Fig. 8) carrying upper and lower rubber impression blocks 38 and 39, respectively. 1n order to retain the shaft 36 in the proper position there is provided a set screw 40 (Figs. 2 and 4) mounted in the platen 37 and adapted to contact with a groove in the shaft 36, and since the platen is prevented from an appreciable lateral .movement by the side plates 30 and 31, the shaft 36 is likewise retained in position.

The ribbon supporting plates are comprised by two parallel plates 41 and 42 which may be attached to each other by any suitable means such as bent-ovei-lugs '43 (Fig. 5). The ribbon support-ing plate 42 hasattached thereto, by means of rivets 44 a pair of plates 45 (Figs. 2, 4 and 8) fitting between the side plates 30 and 31 and the sides'of the platen 37 substantially at right angles to the plate 42, and they are formed with elongate-d slots 46 to receive the platen supporting shaft 36. Springs 47A (Fig. 2) extend between projections on the plates 45 and the base of sockets 48 formed in the platen 37. By means of the four springs 47 the ribbon supporting plates 41 and 42 will be forced away from the rear face of the platen tothe position shown in Figs. 1 and 2 wherein it will be noted that there is normally a considerable clearance between the plate 42 and the face of the impression blocks 38 and 39, thus facilitating the insertion of a paper strip in a manner which will be described hereinafter in detail.

It will also be noted from anv inspection of Figs. 2 and 8 that the supporting plates 41 and 42 are suitably bent so as to form channels 49 located just beneath the impression blocks 33 and 39 for th-e reception of a ribbon carrying frame or plate 50 1) and that plates 41 and 42 are apertured at 51 (Fig. 5) so as not to interfere with the printing action when the printing frame is rocked.

The inking ribbon 52 comprises a narrow strip of ribbon (Figs. 6 and 7) which is held or fixed in the 'frame 50 apertured at 53 and which is formed by bending so as to grip the ribbon. This construction permits the detachment of an old ribbon from the printer and the insertion of a new one without touching the moistened ribbon itself. There is a ribbon frame for each printing line so that they can be removed or replaced independently of each other. W'hen it is desired not to print the information set upon a certain line of type this can readily be done by removing the associated printing ribbon.

Referring to Fig. 1 it will be noted that the ribbon supporting plate 42 extends upwardly as well as downwardly from the section opf posite the impression blocks and' is curved so as to suitably guide the paper when it is inserted in the printing frame. The plate 42 also extends laterally beyond the side plates 30 and 31 and is bent transversely at 54 and 55 (Figs. 2, 3, 4 and 8) while the plate 4l is bent similarly to form side plates56 and 57 (Figs. 3, 5 and 3). The guard plates thus formed are adapted to cover at times the ribbon receivingapertures 58 (Fig. 3) in the .side 28 of the cover 27 for a reason which will be explained hereinafter.

Also extending between the side plates 30 and 31 is a curved plate 59 (Figs. 1 and 2) which is securely held in place by means of 'f lugs projecting through slots formed in the side plates 30 and 31 and this curved plate serves as a .support and guide for the record material. It will be noted in Fig. 1 that ther upper end of the fixed curved plate 59 contacts with the lower rear edge of the pivoted platen 37 thereby limiting the rocking movement of the platen in a clockwise direction as viewed in Fig. 1 under the influence of the upper springs 47, while a lug G1 (Figs. I" i 1 and 4) integral with the plate 29 will hold the platen against a counter-clockwise movement if the lower springs 47 should exceed the force of the upper springs and urge it in this direction.

is drawn from a roll 62 which rests uponv the conca-ve surface `of the curved plateV 59 the yroll being held in the properposition-by means of spring plates 63 (Fig. 4) whichv are secured to the side plates and 31. The end ofthe kpaper strip is inserted between'lthe plates 42 and 59 which guide it over the rear face of the platenl 37 after which it willy beV guided bythe upper curved portion of the plate 42 so thatit Vpasses forwardlyunder a is formed at its extreme forward edge with serrations 65 adaptedto facilitate the tearing of a sectionof a record strip from the rest of the roll. From an inspection of Fig. 4

it will be noted that the plate 29 is cut away at 66 so as to permit the insertion of a finger-V to draw the upper portion of the record strip outwardly before detaching a section of "it from the rest of the roll.

'The relation of the printing` devices to the cabinet cover is best shown in Fig. lwherein itl will be noted that the cover 27 is apertured at its lower endat 67 to receive the roll of paper and is also apertured at 68 in line with opening 66 of plate 29 to ypermit the insertion of a finger toV draw out the printed record strip. The side portions 28 ofthe cover 27 are provided with the four elongated aper` tures 58, two lof which are shown in Fig. V3

and are duplicated on the opposite sid'e these being provided for the'purpose of permit-` ting Aa new ribbon frame tov be j inserted inthe` printer when the printer is inits normal position. When the printing mechanism is in its normal or raised position and it is desired toinsert a new ribbon frame, the latter is merely inserted in the aperturev 58 and by lforcing it laterally the old lframe will be ejected sufficiently to permit the withdrawal by'theiingers so that theprinter may then fully accommodate the new ribbon frame. p In some instances it would vbe of lparticularad'vantage to personswho are permitted toV obtain the printed information from the machine to fraudulently. manipulate the printing elements if that lcould be done so as to print information other than that which is proper and correct. Inorder toguard against such a `misoperation the printing mechanism is .so constructed and provided Afsu `with shieldsas to prevent the insertion of-an n instrument in the! various aperturesin the cabinet. f

,l wire or some other instrument in 'one of the apertures 58 in the side 28 of cover27, and through the apertures'51 until the wire strikes 1 one of the printing elements in such a manner as to rotate it fraudulently. Itisevident that .side plates 56 and 57.

`vided with a reduced Y K- l y i. side kframes 2O and 21 One way in which it `might be possibleto close to the printing type as in a printing opf eration. y v

, It is in this connection that plate 42 is bent laterally yto form the side plates 54 and while the plate 4l similarlyis bent to form planeadj acentand kfits closelyagainst one or the. other of the sides ofthe cover 27 for the n lprinter'. It `will bei understood, therefore, plate 64 (Fig. 1) which is riveted or other- `wise secured to the side plates 30 and 31 and that Vwhenever the printer frame. is moved In order to retain theprinterin its forward or normal position the side plate 31has attached thereto by means of ai lug 69 (Figs.

v.3 and 5) abell-crank 70loosely mounted upon the pivotal shaft 32 of the printer. 4The tension in a spring 7 -1 attached to the horizontal Aarm of the vbell-crank normallyretains the printing` devices in the `position shown in rige.-

In order to prevent any lateral movement of the shaft 32 after it'has been placed in its Each plate is in a` proper position one end of the shaft is pro- V portion or groove 72 (Figs. 3 and 4) rllhe bell-.crank is provided with an irregular shaped aperture 73 (Fig. 3) one portion `of which has merelythe diameter ofthe shaft 32 at itsgroovedV portion 73, `while another portion is sufficiently large to receive kthe outer diameter of the shaft 32. It will be -clear that when theshaft 32iis inserted and shifted laterally toits proper location'the spring 71 will force the'bell-cranl to co-operate with lthe grove in the shaft and rigidly hold the latter in place. J Y Y l In order to permit the printing mechanism *c to be forced rearwardly so as to take a printing impression from the adjustedy type carriers there'is provided a button 74 which as shown in Fig. 1 is slidably mounted in the v cover 27 and has itsrearward end contacting L with the plate 29.

Let itbe assumed that the record strip has been properly inserted' and that the ribbon frames arealso in their proper places.` The printing button 74 ifnow depressed will force the printing devicesr rearwardly,7tensioning thespring 71.

`ribbon supporting plate 41 will contact with fcrwardprogections 7 5 (Figs. 1 and 3) of the `springs 47.v At substantially this point of j the operation the lower impression block 39 .y will contact with vthe printing elements 423 thereby holding 5 the: lower'portion of the As the printing jframe is forced rearwardly towards the type the rearV 36 continue to y platen rigid and forcing the platen to rock slightly counter-clockwise so as to permit` the upper impression block 3S to strike the upper se ies oi' printing elements 25 with the result that the printing elements of the two printing `li nes are struck successively but with substantially equal Jforce. It will be understood that the rubber impression blocks during the movement mentioned will act to force the paper against the inking ribbons and adjusted type. For the best results the button 74 should be depressed sharply and quickly with the. thumb so as to obtain a clear and legible print on the record strip.

After this has been accomplished the finger is inserted in the apertures 66 and 68 provided for that purpose and the portion of the printed record strip is withdrawn and detached from the rest of the roll by tearing against the seri-ation or' the plate 64.

Vhile the form of mechanism herein described is admirably adapted to fulfill the objects primarily stated, it is to be understood that it is not intended to confine the invention to the one form of embodiment herein shown, since it may be embodied in various forms, all coming within the scope of the claims which follow.

What is claimed is:

l. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a` plurality of lines of printing type members, a depressible printer frame having means provided therein for supporting a record medium, a platen pivoted to t-he printing frame to co-operate with the lines of type and a button for operating the printer frame to eiiect printing.

2. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a plurality of lines of printing type, a rockable printer frame, a platen pivoted to the printer :trame to co-operate with the lines of type, means whereby a record bearing material may be carried by the printer frame, inking strips also carried by said frame one for each line of type, and a button for operating the printer iframe to eiect printing.

. 3. In a cash register, the combination of a pivoted printer iframe, a platen in said frame, mea-ns on said Jframe for carrying a paper supply roll, Vinlring strips, means carried by the printer' frame for holding the inling strips, and spring devices to hold the platen and said means in spaced relation to permit the insertion of the paper from the supply roll.

el. In a cash register, the combination of a. pivoted printer frame having means provided therein for supporting a record medium, a platen pivotally carried by the frame and having a plurality of impression blocks, a plurality of lines of printing type co-operating with the impression blocks, a button for operating the printer frame to effect printing, and yielding means for normally holding said platen in a central position on said frame, said means permitting the platen to rock slightly so that the rubber impression blocks strike the plurality of lines of type with equal pressure.

5. In a cash register, the combination of a pivoted frame carrying a platen, a plate carrying a plurality of inling strips mounted in said frame by means permitting a limited movement, and tensioning means to normally hold said plate spaced from said platen.

6. In a cash register, the combination of a pivoted frame carrying a platen, a plate carrying a plurality oiI inking strips mounted in said frame by means permitting a liniited relative movement, tensioning means to normally hold said plate spaced from said platen, a printer button for rocking said trame to eiiect printing, and a member cooperating with said plate to arrest the movement of the inking strips while the button continues to move the printer frame and platen to eiiect printing.

7. In a printing mechanism, the combination oi' a printer 'frame operable to eect printing impressions, a member carried by said printer frame, and an inlring strip supported by a frame, said member being adapte-d to receive said inling strip i'rame.

8. In a printing mechanism, the combination oi a platen carrying a plurality of impression members, a plate carried by the platen, a plurality of inking ribbons, frames for supporting each ribbon individually, and guide means on the plate for receiving and retaining the ribbon supporting frames.

9. In a printing mechanism, the combination oi' a printing frame carrying plates spaced apart to form aI channel, an inking ribbon, and a frame for supporting said ribbon received and retained by said channel.

l0. In a cash register, the combination with a printer frame carrying a platen, inking ribbons, frames for carrying the inking ribbons, plates carried by the platen frame for receiving the ribbon frames, means whereby a record receiving material may be passed between the inking ribbons and platen, and a manipulative device for operating the printer irame to effect printing impressions from the ribbons onto the record material.

ll. In a` cash register, the combination with a printer frame carrying a platen, inliing ribbons, frames for carrying the inling ribbons, a member carried by the printer :trame for receiving the ribbon frame, springs for normally holding the platen spaced apart from said member to facilitate the insertion of record material therebetween, and a manipulative device for operating the printer to effect printing impressions.

l2. In a machine of the class described, the combination with a printer member movable for taking impressions and mounted in and effect printing impressions.

the class described,

the printer, vmeans enclosed by a cabinet, inkingdevices, meansv carried by said printer to receive the inking devices, apertures formed in thecabinet to permit vthe insertion of the inliingv devices, and means' for covering the ribbon'receivingl apertures Whenthe printer is moved to 13. In a machine of the combination With a movable printer frame, a platen carried .by the printer, a plurality of individual and 'detachable inlring ribbon frames carried by the printer, means for supporting a` paperl strip supply roll on to guide the paper strip between the platen and a-manipulative device to move the for effecting printing impressions.

`111. In a-v machine of the class described, a printer frame, a guideway'formed in said frame, and a ribbon frame removably supported in said Vframe to kcarrysaid ribbon and record strip against the printing elements. s 16. In a machine of the class described, a

f cabinet, amovable printer frame VWithin said cabinet,` a guidevvay formed insa-1d frame.

\ y and adapted to receive a detachable Vinling in said ribbon frame, van opening in said cabinet through which said ribbon frame is inserted guidevvay, and means for 'blocking said yopening upon movement of said printer frame. l

`17. In al cash register, 'ya printer frame, a platen carried thereby,-a plate mounted in said frame and movable relativelythereto, an

inking strip carried by said plate, and springs to normally hold the plate and strip spaced apart `from the. platen. c Y

18. In -a cashregistenthe combination of a rockable printer framehaving means provided therein or supporting a record vmedium", a platen pivotallycarried by said frame and having impression blocks on opposite i means for said sides of its pivot, a plurality of lines of'printing types cooperating With the impression blocks, means for operatingthe printer frame to effectvprinting, and a yieldingcentralizing platen, said means permitting said platen to rock slightly -so that the impression blocks strikel said lines of type fwith equal pressure. s p s t 19. In a printing mechanism, the combination of a movable printer. frame provided with an inlring ribbon supporting means, an r inling ribbon carried by a frame, and guide and the inking ribbons, printer guidevvay, said ribbon frame being slidable in said guideway so that in` will lforce theVL old V5h fior the paper,

*onV opposite sides of `its um, a platen means carried-iby `ltheinkingr,ribbon-l 'supporting means for receiving and retaining"A the ribbnfram: g. 20.5.-In :5a @printing-nmechanism;L ia movable printer frame,means-carried thereb'yrfonsupiportingfar'eord strip supplyroll, meansicarf ried by said )frame for receiving an inling ribsk bon, "a platen carried by said frame, means Wlielrebyih reeordstriprmay be passed between said ribbon and saidfplaten, means for operating said frame. to eii'ect printing, and'v tion osaid strip may be detached at Will.

21. In a printing mechanism, a frame adapted to carry a paper supply roll, and a plate for supporting an inking rib-bon, said plate being carried by said frame and having an extension for guiding the paper.

22. Inuw a' printing mechanism, a printer frame adapted to `carry a paper-supply roll", a platen ycarried by said frame, inking ribbon supporting means carried by saidframe and aving a portion thereof forming a guide `and means for operating said. frame to ei'ect printing. Y, 23. Inl a printing mechanism, a rockable printer frame having means provided therein for supporting a record medium, a platen pivotally carried b-y said frame and having impression blocks on opposite. sides'of its pivot, and centralizing means for said platen.

'24. In a printing mechanism, a rockable printerfframe-having means provided therein for. supporting' a record medium, a pivotally Vmounted platen carried by said frame having a plurality kof Widely spaced impression blocks pivot, a plurality of lines of type, and yielding means permitting said impression blocks to strike each of said. lines of type vvith equal pressure.y

l 25. In a printing mechanism, the combinaa roclrable printer frame having means provided therein for supporting a record Inedipivoted to said printer frame, and yielding means mounted adjacent each of said impression blocks for centralizing said platen and permitting said impression blocks to strike the lines oi type With equal pressure.

26. In a machine of the class described, a

, means carried by said frame whereby a por- 1 v tion of a plurality of lines of printing type, i I

rockableprinter frame, type carriers, slidable members supported by said frame carrying inking means, said members being so supported that they may be readily removed from said frame, and means for rocking said frame. Y

27. In a printing mechanism, the combination of a rockable printer frame, a slidable member carrying an inking ribbon and guide means in said frame for receiving said slidable member.

28. In a printing mechanism, the combination of a rockable printer frame, a detachable member carrying an inking ribbon, and means provided in said. `framevfor receiving" said detachable member, and means for rocking said Jframe.

29. In a printing mechanism, the combination of a movable printer frame, a plurality of removable members Carried by said frame. inking ribbons attached t0 saicl members, and means for moving said printer frame.

CHARLES W. GREEN. 

